New GTFS standard brings open data to public transit

Transit information is changing for the better in North America. One of the key drivers for this change is how transit agencies, keen to improve the way they engage with their customers, are providing good quality schedule data to web designers and app developers. 

Google is one of the main players in this data revolution. Google worked closely with Trimet (Portland, Oregon) to develop a new standard for transit schedule data organization, known as GTFS, that any agency can use to provide trip planning, maps, printable schedules and other online interactive tools. Trimet’s transit website set the standard for online information in North America, and others have now adopted the GTFS standard. The free GTFS Exchange website makes GFTS data for over 728 transit agencies worldwide available for download (have a look and see if your local agency is in there!). Of course, Google is keen to use this data as part of its aim to digitize as much public information as possible, so all of these agencies now have a readily available trip planning resource in the form of Google Maps.

We have recently partnered with the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) – now known as EMBARK – to develop and implement strategies that will strengthen their agency as a reliable and easy-to-use transit option in the Central Oklahoma region. Our ongoing collaboration will add to Oklahoma City’s renaissance and their rise as one of North America’s most transformative cities.

Open data, specifically GTFS, was the key to helping EMBARK develop customer-focused transit tools. We were immediately amazed at how easy GTFS was to use, and excited at the possibilities open data presents for all transit agencies and their customers. Using our experience of developing multimodal, user-focused websites, we helped COTPA to understand what was possible with GTFS and open source software, and subsequently designed and developed COPTA’s new website and travel tools (see embarkok.com). Google is currently processing COTPA’s data for inclusion in their ever-popular Google Maps, so regional and even national trip planning will be possible for Oklahoma City residents and visitors.

EMBARK sets new standards for transit information in North America and builds on the ground-breaking work carried out by Trimet. An easy-to-use, all-in-one schedule interface allows users to view bus routes quickly on an interactive custom Google Map, see route schedules, and get real-time information for all stops in Oklahoma City. A bus stop tool allows users to input their work or home address, and to see which bus routes serve their needs. Coming soon is a Google-powered multimodal trip planner, a first for Oklahoma City and something that is likely to change the way people make informed transportation decisions.

So, hats off to GTFS, and we’re excited to see what we can do with it next.

Embark can be visited at www.embarkok.com